Established by the National Cancer Advisory Board, the national Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NBLIC) is the National Cancer Institute's formal outreach initiative to establish a national system that will increase cancer prevention and control activities to reduce cancer mortality in the Black population. The initiative seeks to enlist concerned and active Black leaders throughout the nation to help organize, implement, and support cancer prevention programs.

Why is there a National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer?

NBLIC exists because Blacks have a disproportionately higher incidence of cancer and higher cancer mortality rates compared with the general population.

How did the Initiative mobilize Black leaders throughout the country?

Members of six regional committees, through a series of regional meetings, invited leaders of religious, business, health and medical, civic, political, and social organizations to participate in programs aimed at increasing Black Americans' awareness of cancer prevention strategies.

What are some of the activities occurring in each region?

Applied research

Cancer control programs

Cancer screening programs

Media campaigns

Outreach and educational programs

Who will carry out the activities within each region?

Individuals like you working with the director for your region and local NBLIC coalitions.

The prostate is the male sex gland which produces a thick fluid that forms part of semen. It is about the size of a walnut located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Abnormal growth of benign tissue in the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Malignant tissue is cancer.

What Every Man Should Know about Prostate Cancer:

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant cancer in American men.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men (lung cancer is #1).

For black men the odds of getting prostate cancer are one in eight, compared to one in 6.25 for all U.S. men. In fact, black men in the U.S. have the world's highest rate of prostate cancer.

Risk Factors

Famliy History - There is an increased risk if a close family member has prostate cancer. It is important to learn as much as you can about your family's medical history.

Age - As you go through the aging process, your prostate will get larger. This is a natural process, but it may cause problems. It is therefore, important for men over 40 to consider yearly checkups.

Race - Black American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world. This high rate has been seen only in the last few decades, which suggests that some environmental factors may be responsible.

High Fat Diet - Research indicates that men who eat a diet high in fat may have a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Guidelines for Early Detection

The National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer recommends consideration of yearly rectal exams and PSA's for all men over 40 to increase the chance of detecting prostate cancer early.

Researchers are doing studies to learn more about screening men for prostate cancer (checking for the disease in men who have no symptoms). They are studying the usefulness of the following screening methods alone and in combinations:

Digital rectal examination (DRE).

Transrectal ultrasonography.

Measurement of a prostate specific antigen level in the blood (PSA)

Early prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. A man who has any of the following symptoms should see his family doctor or a urologist (a doctor who specializes in treating disease of the genitourinary system). Only a doctor can determine whether such symptoms are caused by prostate cancer:

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night.

difficulty in starting or holding back urination.

Inability to urinate.

Weak or interrupted flow of urine.

Painful or burning urination.

Painful ejaculation.

Blood in the urine or semen.

Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs.

For more information about prostate cancer, how to find it early, or what questions to ask your doctor, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-cancer, your local office of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, or the American Cancer Society.

Numerous studies have shown a link between certain foods and the risk of developing certain cancers. Some experts believe that about 35 percent of cancer deaths may be related to what we eat.

Important Facts Everyone Should Know about Diet and Nutrition:

Too much fatty foods my increase the risk of several cancers, particularly breast, colon and prostate.

Too little fiber may increase the risk of cancers such as colon cancer.

Only one in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables daily. African Americans eat even fewer fruits and vegetables each day than do whites. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables may lower risks for some cancers.

Obesity leads to an increased risk for a number of cancers. For women, there is greater risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including breast and cervical cancer.

Healthy Eating Tips:

Eat lean meats, poultry and fish.

Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The 5-A-Day for Better Health Program, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the Produce for Better Health Foundation, recommends eating at least five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.

Eat more foods rich in vitamins, high in fiber and low in fat (keep fat intake to 30% of calories).

Limit alcohol consumption.

Eat a variety of foods and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.

For more information about diet and nutrition, contact the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-cancer, your physician, local health department or local office of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer.

The colon and the rectum are parts of the digestive system. Together, they form a long muscular tube called the large intestine (also called the large bowel). The colon is the upper five to six feet of the large intestines and the rectum is the last six to eight inches.

What Everyone Should Know about Colorectal Cancer:

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.

the incidence is higher in men than in women.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among black American men and women (lung Cancer is #1).

Almost seven percent of Americans are expected to develop colorectal cancer within their lifetime.

Risk Factors:

Polyps - The vast majority of colorectal cancers develop in polyps. They are benign but they may become cancerous over time. Removing polyps is an important way to prevent colorectal cancer.

Age - Colorectal cancers most often occur in people over the age of 50 and the risk increases as people get older.

Family History - Close relatives of a person who has had colorectal cancer have a higher than average risk of developing the disease.

Family Polyposis - this is an inherited condition in which hundreds of polyps develop in the colon and rectum. Over time these polyps can become cancerous. Unless the condition is treated, a person who has this condition is almost sure to develop colorectal cancer.

Diet - The risk of developing colon cancer seems to be higher in people whose diet is high in total fat, protein, calories and alcohol; and low in calcium, dietary fiber, particularly that derived from vegetables.

Ulcerative Colitis - This disease causes inflammation of the lining of the colon. The risk of colon cancer is much greater than average for people who have this disease and it increases with the length of time they have had it.

Physical Activity - A sedentary (accustomed to sitting or taking little exercise) lifestyle has been associated in some studies with an increase risk of colorectal cancer.

Signs and Symptoms:

There may be no symptoms with colorectal cancer. Warning signs to watch for may include:

A change in bowel habits.

Blood in or on the stool (either bright red or very dark in color).

Stools that are narrower than usual.

Rectal bleeding.

Feeling that bowel does not empty completely.

Weight loss with no known reason.

Guidelines For Early Detection:

The National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer suggests that a high percentage of early cancers can be detected by annual screening of asymptomatic individuals 50 and over with the following guidelines:

Digital Rectal Examination - During regular check ups, have a digital rectal exam. The doctor inserts a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum and feels for abnormal areas.

Fecal Occult - Beginning at age 50, have a fecal occult blood test every year. This test checks for hidden blood in the stool. It is done because colorectal cancer may cause bleeding that cannot be seen.

Sigmoidoscopy - Beginning at age 50, have this exam every three to five years. The doctor looks through a thin lighted tube, to check for polyps, tumors or other abnormalities.

For more information about colorectal cancer, how to find it early, what questions to ask your doctor, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-cancer, your local office of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, or the American Cancer Society.